There are many ways to enhance your waitematawoodys experience, the easiest is by using the categories & tag sections on the right hand side of the page, here by clicking on a word/s you can search by any topic & see a summary of articles linked to that topic e.g. individual designers, build / launch year, CYA owned vessels, boat names or locations etc.

To get the most out of the waitematawoodys you really need to be a follower, relax its not some new cult, all you have to do is click on the ‘Follow’ tab that appears at the bottom of you computer screen on the right when you have the waitematawoodys page open. You then enter your email address* in the box that appears & now you will be able to:

(a) receive an email advising you when new articles have been posted or updated. Means you no longer have to check in all the time.

I hope this helps, if you need any advice at any time just drop me an email at waitematawoodys@gmail.com

Alan Houghton

Why I Started This Site

To provide a meeting point for owners and devotees of classic wooden launches. To seek to capture the growing interest in old wooden boats and to encourage and bring together all those friendly people who are interested in the preservation of classic launches for whatever reason, be it their own lifestyle, passion for old boats or just their view of the world.

To encourage the exchange of knowledge about the care and restoration of these old launches, and we facilitate gatherings of classic wooden launches via working together with traditionally-minded clubs and associations.

If you feel a yarn or topic might be embellished or not be accurate, remember time does terrible things to the memory, so help us by joining the conversation i.e. commenting.

Please be respectful of photo rights and do not reproduce without asking

Are you a waitematawoody?

If you are interested in our interests and activities become a follower to this blog.

The Vessels Featured Here

The boats on display here (yes there are some yachts included, some are just too drop dead stunning to over look) require patrons, people devoted to their care and up keep, financially and emotionally. The owners of these boats understand the importance of owning, restoring and keeping a part of the golden age of Kiwi boating alive. The boats are true Kiwi treasures to be preserved and appreciated.

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123 thoughts on “What waitematawoodys is all about and how to use this site”

Re: Tokatea
I believe Ivan Covacich was owner/skipper during the 50s on Whangarei harbour doing scenic tours but mainly doing cream pickups and goods deliveries.
I can remember looking out for him at Urquharts bay as a youngster.
At the time the vessel was powered by a Kelvin diesel which were known for their reliability, and hence my Christian name.

Hi there, my husband and I are looking for the history of the 60 ft Kauri Lazy Bones ( probably a name change) used to go to Barrier alot I hear. There is a bouy on her that could say Heather. May not be original. Any info would be appreciated. Also we have acquired a Mosquito sail dingy this year, I see there is a post about them on your website. I cant send photos on here cause of my phone, but I can send them via phone. We are the owners of Sybil Frances and love the waitamata woodies.

I read a lot of stories on this site about the amazing restorations taking place. I also note that someone seems to keto an eye on trademe and let you know when boats of interest appear. I have not seen mention of the following auction and wonder if any of your readers would be interested in the following
Listing 2347703757
Heading is
classic kiwi woodie
Not sure if it’s one you’d be interested in discussing. Regards Leane

kiwilea1 on October 4, 2019 at 8:36 pm
Perhaps someone could pass on my information to Ian MacDonald. Re the Maree Anne. He could contact me at +64212659616 or email on emailleanebarry@gmail.com. Thank you. Regards Leane

Hi there, bit of a long shot but I’m trying to track down my Dad’s launch he built in Thames. She is a Hartley 30 tidesong. Her name was Lady Naomi, but possibly had her name changed. She was sold over 30 years ago and went to Auckland. Not sure where she went after that. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. I have photos I can forward through.

Today on this site I discovered history on my grandfather’s launch ANTARES (Cyril R Parker). I am wondering if anyone has any news on his last launch named Koroma (sic)???? Cyril owned this in the late 70’s – mid 1980’s and it was berthed at Half Moon Bay marina. Likewise his boating friend Clive Power’s launch Wainunu. Any ides or info would be appreciated.

The family of Bud Nalder who passed away on the 31st July 19, would like to advise they will be holding a farewell service at the Tasman Bay Cruising Club in Nelson on Saturday 10th of August at 1pm. All welcome

Any information on The Rangi & Maud, these vessels were used as ferries/cream boats on the Tauranga to Matakana Is. run and were operated by a Mr Palmer of Matakana Is. during the 50s to 60s Where are these boats now? are they still going? love to know more.

Hi has any one any information on the ‘Ilex’ built by the Deemings at Okiato in 1910.
31 ft Kauri.
Our family sold her around 5 years ago and she was shipped to Paeroa from the Far North.
I rang the ship museum at Paeroa and the guy on the phone told me she had been scrapped!
Anyone have any info?

Hi All,
I have been looking for any information regarding the history of a Bob Swanson designed and built launch named Prudence launched in 1965.
I have the original Mana Cruising Club newsletter from November 1965 with Prudence featuring on the cover and an article written about her but I have no real information regarding her history up to my purchase of her 3 years ago.
Any information would be gratefully accepted.
Thank you
Graham

Hi Allan,
Lyttelton 1880’s yacht Pastime is in the process of being totally restored in a shed in Tamihere. Could get owners name etc if you are interested.
Currently researching Kaipara launch Tern. Will supply you with full history plus photos. The history of these old boats take time as you well know. Still got to get photos of her from the Matakohe Museum. The owner has just got her motor running.

Hi there. I just came across this site. My father is Tom McCarthy who worked for and became a manager at Shipbuilders. I was doing a search to see if I could find any information of the boats he built or to find anyone that knows my father or has any stories. Dad is still alive. He has had a couple of strokes but is still alive and kicking.

Dear W Woody Administration and members.
My name is Stu Rich. I am the owner of a classic 35ft marvel plank, ex fishing vessel “Lochalsh” built by Millers in Lytteton (Canterbury ). she is nearly 100 years old.
I would really like to see her embark into her next century in the way she deserves. Currently moored near Picton in the Marlborough sounds, I am asking if any of your members are interested in becoming part of her story… I could offer ownership shares in her in exchange for work completed. I intend to work on her in early 2019 out of the water for some time. accommodation can be provided in Picton during the refit period. I feel I am only a custodian of this vessel.. and would possibly sell (entirely) to the right person/s. Very much open to discussion and ideas.! Thanks for reading. Kind Regards, Stu .

Hi. I have some old family photos that might interest … Goodson’s Ltd hauling a boat. How could I send them to you? Would be interested in history and date of them, and they might be of interest to you readers…

Hello , I am looking to buy or have built a smaller clinker dingy that will be used to put on display in our display home . I’m hoping that someone may be able to send me in the rite direction or assist in my search .
Best regards to all .
Rob

No idea as to the purchaser, but she’s back on Trade Me for 2x what Mum got. As an aside, do you know of anyone who took a photo of the Hauraki Gulf Northern Leading Light and Passage Rock? These are for my log books. Thanks, Juli

Hi Nigel – welcome to the world of classic woodys. I have added your letter to the main WW story on Rautangi.
As a first step I would suggest that you joined the Classic Yacht Association – details here classic yacht.org.nz

Hi all
We have just purchased the Rautangi a kauri bridge decker featured on this website. She has been moved to my property 425 Krippner Road, Puhoi.

She was completely gutted and partly repaired by the pervious owner. I am told that she has been out of the water for 7 years.

We seek as much advice as possible on how to get her back into a usable state again. We have no previous experience in restoring wooden boats and done much reading on the internet. However, many conflicting views on how to do this properly has left us undecided on the way forwards.

I would much appreciate any guidance and advice on this project.

We welcome any visits from those who would like to see her and share their wisdom.

Dear Sir , As an expat I have always closely followed all N.Z. boating activities. Can you shed some light on where to go to see a set of beautiful Mahurangi Regatta photos including (1) Roy Dickson and his 6meter I.O.D. ( international one design ) at Mahurangi and Waterwitch yacht designed by Bruce Farr I cannot remember the year (2009 ? perhaps ) These are some of the most glorious photos and I’ve been trying to find them now for four years . Cheers to all , Great website visited daily.

With the renovation of the yacht Ariki, A3, nearing completion, Ian R John is compiling a video record of the yacht’s history. He woild love to find any moving picture records of the yacht. Can anyone help? Mark Newcomb.

Hi folks I’m helping a mate who has Erelyn in the Bay of Islands, we know she was built by Orams is Whangarei and launched in 1958. He would dearly love to collect the history on her if anyone can help. She is currently out of the water having some much needed maintenance done shuch as replacing the stuffing boxes and some ribs with new kauri timber. Would anyone know of a supplier of pure mutton tallow so we can refit the prop tubes. Many thanks in advance and apologies if this is not the corrrect palce to post this

It looks like a good way to sort out steering both running and low speed manoeuvring, which is a real issue for us getting on and off pole moorings.

Has anyone any experience with this type of modification and have any better ideas? I’m seriously thinking of doing this next haul out. 40 ft and nine tonnes of boat is alot to stop and secure on piles, with tide, windage and nervous crew occasionally conspiring against us.

I prepped the deck on our 40 ft carved planked launch about 18 months ago,checked caulking and undercoated, followed by 2 coats of kiwi grip on the cabin tops and 3 on the fore, side decks, cockpit and duckboard.

Cabin tops have been fine but the fore and side decks are showing every line in the deck planks as grubby from what I guess is road dust from the nearby bridge. I’m thinking of taking it back to the undercoat again and replacing it with a stick/ glue on non skid material, thereby covering the deck and sealing them a little better. I understand that the deck is going to move a little over time but it’s got to look better than what’s on there now. Figure I can always reglue if required around the edges. Thinking of one of the harder products as I think the closed cell foam stuff mite get filthy anyway.

Anyone had any experience with any of these products on this sort of deck?

Love the site,I am looking for a classic live onboard game boat and mooring,grew up in Cockle Bay and Waiheke,in the era of Lady Doreen,Pied Piper etc,would love to get a Waitematawoody t shirt,regards Tony.

All of Tudor Collins vast collection of glass negatives were donated to the Auckland War Museum in 1914-15 by his nephew Brian Collin’s family
Brian was a close friend of mine in the 50s and 60s and his father Reg was Tudor Collins brother
I suggest that interested parties contact the museum as the range of photos are incredible
Ruskin Cranwell

I’m looking to buy and restore any boat made by Mervyn Ryan, MASTER-CRAFT, in Whangarie NZ. He passed away in 1968. His father was Ernie Ryan, also a boat builder.
Contact Ron Keenberg at 022 686 6580 or email k@ikoy.com
Colleen Ryan colleen@colleenryanpriest.com

Hi,
I am trying to find out about a Woollacott Ghost. She was built some time between 1939 and 1943, and is called ‘Ghost’. I am wondering if this is the original or a later boat of the same name.
The previous owner didn’t have a great amount of her history but had owned her for 12 years. I can send pictures…

Hello Sian , I would like to know more about your fathers yacht Shiralee , as I have one exactly the same here in ChCh called Fidelity and am wondering if it is the same yacht or a sister ship . Same design , but believe mine was built in Milford creek by Allen Williams in 1960

Hi my name is Clive. I represent the Te Awamutu Community Menzshed. We have been given a small fleet(4) of pond yatchs as our members are not interested in them we are looking for a new home for them. They all need alot of work. They are free to a good harbour. If any one is interested please contact me teawamutumenzshed@gmail.com

Hi, have some old photos [about 90 years] that I found in a Dunedin junk shop, of some local launches. Includes the ‘eclipse’ that I see featured on this blogsite.One day I may work out how to put them on here. Here,s hoping until then. Cheers, K. Murphy

Hello Sian
I would love to receive the scans from your fathers photo album & share them with ww readers . Email them to me at waitematawoodys@gmail.com
As luck would have it, I’m seeing Harold Kidd tomorrow, so I will ask him about back issues of the book.

Hi, I was browsing and saw that Harold Kidd has written a book, Little Skimmers, and my poppa, Roy Kendall is mentioned in it. I am having trouble tracking down this book, but I do have a photograph album that belonged to poppa, with yachts being buit and sailed around Auckland, if anyone would be interested in my scanning them? Some of the photos are quite tiny, and I also have the original name plate for the Shiralee which he built.
There are a couple of photos from 1937, the rest are from the 50’s, boat are, Black Rose, Logoda, Kelly, Daydream, Takina, Zest, Kahurangi etc….

The Herreshoff in your Photo from Palm Beach is the 105′ Whitehawk fresh in from a month in Cuba. Built in Maine in 1978 cold molded, inspired from Francis L. Herreshoff but actually came from the designer Bruce King. She is an incredible sailing yacht. Based in Newport, RI and managed by kiwi Simon Davidson

Hi all,
I have a Stewart Matangi motorsailer built by Brin Wilson named Jeanette. Apparently built for an Auckland businessman by the name of Coutts in 1965. I’ve managed to get her looking tidy and original over the last few years.
Would anybody happen to know anything of her history?

That sounds good: I would indeed love to get things sorted before winter. I’m heading to Canada for a couple of weeks on May 14. Could I deliver her before that trip? I could probably come up during the week before if necessary though the weekend of May 7 would be more straightforward, but I guess that would mean being able to find a safe mooring until you could pull her out. What do you think? Cheers, Tim

We are pretty busy, it would be six weeks before we can slip you. She’s a lovely little yacht and very welcome here. We have Cirrus here. She’s not a Val craft but folk like to call her one. It would be nice to put your windows right before winter. Our email is whangateautraditionalboats@gmail.com We wouldn’t need to see your job first.
Thank you Alan.

I’m moored at Westhaven. I should have written last week: I was up at Kawau over the weekend! I could bring her up though. There is of course a bit more to be done than the windows , though even they would warrant bringing her up and leaving her with you for a while. Would it be best to have you look at her first, if you were down this way? Or, assuming I could bring her up for a while, when might suit you?

Hi, I own a Val boat, Valeta. I’m looking for someone to replace/repair the cabin windows, currently rebated (at places very shallow-ly because of the cabins curve) into teak but leaking. Does anyone on the site do that sort of thing, know anyone who does? Best, Tim Dare

Does anyone remember Ron Carl Augustin? He was very involved with ships chandlery. His wife wife Nancy was involved with the Girl Guides boat centre at Westhaven and his daughter, Topsy, married a friend of mine from the launch Mataroa, Kevin Reynolds.
Ron’s boat has sailed into the sunset.

Yes, this site is a great discovery! We have judged purchased Kea- Roy Parris’ boat that sat infront his place in Westmere/cox’s bay for many year. About to get her anti-fouled and can see evidence in the patina of many colours over the years, does anyone know what her original colours were?

Hi WW.
What a wonderful site to discover. I have just begun researching any available information on the yacht Ida owned and raced by my great grandfather CP Murdoch with the intention of building a model of her for my children, preferably as she was in 1902. I am unsure if she still exists but any information on her would be greatly appreciated. Thankyou.

About the good ship Hukarere. I believe this launch was owned by the Felts family of Bucklands Beach during the 1960s. She went ashore and was holed while trying to get on her cradle to be hauled at “the rocks”, located between Big Bucks and Little Bucks. Before the present reclaimation, both launches and keel boats were hauled here during the winter months. I was one of the gang from Chas. Bailey & Sons who patched her up for towing to Bailey’s yard in Beaumont Street. Harry Pope was in charge of operations and Bryce Subritsky towed Hukarere around to the yard. It proved to be an interesting job over the winter months.

A privilege & a pleasure too have discovered this site.
Jake Hewitt is my name.Im 37years of age.
I was fortunate too have been brought up with my father owning a humble 30 foot shipbuilders launch with a bridgedecker style cabin. Once I have achieved the sale of both our 22 foot Glasscraft Sportsman & Classic Car … I will be searching for a classic 30-35 foot displacement Launch of my own* … Look forward too Learning much from you all and enjoying the many photo’s & yarns you all posess.
Cheers – Jake.

Hey, Alan, I have a few photos of old boats from around Auckland, from as far back as about 1964, in places like Mansion House, Waiheke, the Barrier. I also have a few short videos which would probably be too big for email. I could put them on “one drive”, “dropbox” or just mail you a DVD so that you could upload them yourself. If you’re interested let me know which format is best for you. Cheers, Marty.

Hi Gregory,
Ok, thank you for your friendly reply.
We have collected our set of irons from Trade Me over a period of years and fortunately hand me downs from retired B Builders.
Stanley Marine in Whangarei have had them from time to time, I shall hunt out his ph no. for you. Whangarei has a nice mix of old classics and overseas visitors in its yards.
We tend to shape short planks from a solid piece of timber when doing isolated small repairs. It really is a pleasant experience when using the steam box. We don’t have a shop big enough to leave it set up permanently. Ok back to you soon with that ph. no. For the second hand marine bits n pieces.
Pam

Pam, how can I locate a full set of old corking irons I can buy so I can be of use on old wooden boats that need some lovin’ attention? Gotta be some around inherited by folks with no intention of using them. “Have irons will travel.” I’d love to help keep some of New Zealand’s classics afloat and make new friends to cruise with.

I apprenticed as a wooden boat builder 2 years in Norway, 1973-1975, and co-owned two boatshops, consecutively during my 11 years of living there. I have become a Baha’i citizen of Aotearoa and New Zealand is my heaven on earth but officially I am a tourist here at this point. I live here 9 months of 18 and am not allowed to earn money, the work visa I had in the works as maintenance supervisor/educator on a waka hourua didn’t materialize so I volunteer in hopes of getting cruising time and liveaboard oppertunities.I just spent 8 days at Salthouse boatbuilders doing maintenance without pay on the Haunui and Salthouse gave me free access to all their tools and machines and were unbelievably kind to me and welcomed me back any time. What an honor! I am presently volunteering with a replanking job on a 1902 Bailey sloop, the Janet, in Ahuriri, my new home. The owner wants me to put the planks on cold but in Norway we steambent all planks so I want to talk to local experts about the viability of this approach? Richard Allen of the Ranui had an 1895 36′ Bailey hasn’t replied to my text yet. I am excited to be a member of your hui. Cheers

The original engines wer 2 x 165 HP Kermath Sea Mate Specials Bridgefords put the present engines in her in the later 1970s early 80s & I had 2 identical engnes in my boat TIARRI. I was aboard KAIKOURA fairly soon after P Voss built her for Alf Crawford — I have pics of her then – my email is kenpat@ihug.co.nz if you wish to know more –KEN RICKETTS

I have an old (early 1910 ) 36 ft vessel named TARA. Was a fishing boat when purchased but I converted it to pleasure. Can some one give me info on her builder or designer. She is advertised on Trade Me. @ $30k. Has a green cover over cockpit.

Great news about Margaret Anne. Sent ww some photos when you get a chance. In regard to Lady Diana – the below was post om ww on March 2013. Cheers AH
“LADY DIANA IS ON A MOORING IN TE UENGA BAY. B.O.I.”

Greetings, I am the new owner of Billy Roger’s Margaret Anne, I’ve found your website very interesting and thought I should make myself known. I noticed a post with a picture of her and comments wondering where she is. She is in Westhaven. She’s a little run down but given time and resources I plan to polish her up (and remove unsightly additions). Do you know where her sister ship Lady Diana is? I would be interested to see her. Cheers, Helena

We just bought a 1956 Ship Builders launch a few months ago and today while out cruising discovered that our stuffing box is rotten at the front where the shaft enters. The metal housing is loose and the shaft is vibrating. Do you have any indiviudal contractors or companies you could recommend we contact to have this looked at and repaired ? The boat is in Auckland at Westhaven. Any help would be appreciated. Rgds Paul.

Hi Alan
I am really enjoying your blog. It is superb and the photos and boat history with it is really great. To date I have not seen an Owen Woolley designed or designed and built boat.
Do you have an age limit? I built and launched a Woolley in wood in 2004.
Would it qualify for Waitemata Woodys?
Keep up the good work, this is an excellent website.